The average Canadian family can expect to spend up to $345 more on food in 2016.
A report from the University of Guelph says prices in your local grocery store and eateries are expected to rise by an average of 4%.
“We have to realize in all likelihood, food price inflation will be way higher than our baseline rate of inflation.” Report co-author Evan Fraser said “That’s because we import so much of our food and our dollar is so low, that our consumers are paying the price of the low Canadian dollar right now.”
The drought in California is also playing a big factor, driving up the price of fruit and vegetables.
The price of meats and fruits and nuts are expected to see the largest increase. The same report found that 37.9% of Canadians have actually cut back on beef in the past 12 months. Of those, 62.1% said it was because of financial reasons.
“In almost every region of the country… we’ve seen food bank use go up significantly.” Fraser said “Especially in Canada’s north, but even in Alberta with the economic downturn associated with low oil prices.”
The Salvation Army foodbank in Prince George has seen a sharp bump in people accessing the service (previous story).